USA: HUD Looks at LGBT Housing Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development just released the first report on discrimination in rental housing against LGBT citizens. LGBT Weekly reports:

According to HUD’s study, same-sex couples experience unequal treatment more often than heterosexual couples when responding to internet ads for rental units, and findings show that gay male couples experience more discrimination than lesbian couples. “President Obama and this administration have been unmatched in our efforts to ensure equal and fair treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons and communities,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Following the president’s lead, HUD has taken historic steps in the area of fair housing to ensure that we fulfill our nation’s commitment to equality. As this study shows, we need to continue our efforts to ensure that everyone is treated the same when it comes to finding a home to call their own, regardless of their sexual orientation.”

We’re lucky because we own, and aren’t subject to the vagaries of homophobic landlords. But thousands, maybe millions of LGBT folks aren’t so fortunate.